'''Théoden''' ([[Third Age]] 2948 – March 15, 3019, aged 71 years) was the seventeenth [[King of Rohan]], ruling for 39 years, from Third Age 2980 until his death. He was the last of the [[Second Line]].

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| height=Tall

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| hair=Long, thick, braided white hair<ref name="Hall"/>

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| eyes=Blue<ref name="Hall"/>

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| clothing=

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| weapons=[[Herugrim]]

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| steed=[[Snowmane]]

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}}

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{{quote|Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's rising<br>he rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.<br>Hope he rekindled, and in hope he ended;<br>over death, over dread, over doom lifted<br>out of loss, out of life, unto long glory.|[[Gléowine]]<ref name=partings>{{RK|VI6}}</ref>}}

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'''Théoden''' ([[Third Age]] 2948 – March 15, 3019, aged 71 years) was the seventeenth [[King of Rohan]], ruling for 39 years, from {{TA|2980}} until his death. He was the last of the Second Line.<ref name="Mark">{{App|Mark}}</ref>

==History==

==History==

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===Early Life===

===Early Life===

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Théoden was the oldest son of [[Thengel]], and became king after the death of his father in [[Third Age]] 2980. Théoden spoke [[Sindarin]] and [[Westron]] rather than [[Rohirric]], and in his youth spent time in [[Gondor]].

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Théoden was the only son of [[Thengel]], and became king after the death of his father in {{TA|2980}}. Théoden spoke [[Sindarin]] and [[Westron]] rather than [[Rohirric]], for he had been born in [[Gondor]] and spent his youth there.

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His sister [[Théodwyn]] lived with him in [[Edoras]], and after she and her husband both died he adopted her children [[Éomer]] and [[Éowyn]] as his own. He had a son, [[Théodred]], whose mother [[Elfhild]] died in childbirth. In one of Tolkien's early drafts, Théoden also had a daughter by the name of Idis, but she was eventually removed when her character was eclipsed by that of Éowyn.

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Théoden loved his sister [[Théodwyn]] most of all. After she and her husband both died he adopted her children [[Éomer]] and [[Éowyn]] as his own. He had a son, [[Théodred]], whose mother [[Elfhild]] died in childbirth.<ref name="Mark"/>

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In {{TA|3014}} Théoden's health began to fail. This may have been due to natural causes (he was sixty-six) or it may have been induced or increase by subtle poisons administered by [[Gríma]]. Gríma (or ''Wormtongue'' as most others in the [[Mark]] called him), was secretly in the employ of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]].<ref>{{UT|Isen}}</ref>

===War of the Ring===

===War of the Ring===

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As the war approached Théoden was increasingly misled by his chief adviser Gríma. In the last years before the War of the Ring, Théoden let his rule slip out of his hands completely, and Gríma became increasingly powerful. Rohan was troubled again by [[Orcs]] and [[Dunlendings]], who operated under the will of Saruman, ruling from [[Isengard]]. On Gríma's orders Éomer had been arrested and imprisoned after Éomer's foray to destroy the Orcs that had crossed Rohan.<ref name="Hall">{{TT|III6}}</ref>

When [[Gandalf]] and [[Aragorn]] appeared before him, the [[Wizards|Wizard]] healed the king. He then restored his nephew, took up his [[Herugrim|sword]], and led the [[Rohirrim|Riders of Rohan]] to the [[Fords of Isen]].

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By the time of the [[War of the Ring]], Théoden had been king for nearly 30 years, and was getting old and tired. He was increasingly misled by his chief advisor [[Gríma Wormtongue|Gríma]] (or ''Wormtongue'' as most others in the [[Mark]] called him), who was secretly in the employ of [[Saruman|Saruman the White]]; Gríma may even have been poisoning his lord. He also had a minstrel called [[Gleowine]].

On their way, they got news that the border was lost and he retreated into [[Battle of the Hornburg|battle at Helm's Deep]]. After this he became known as '''Théoden Ednew''', the Renewed,<ref name="Mark"/> because he had thrown off the yoke of Saruman.

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In the last years before the War of the Ring, Théoden let his rule slip out of his hands, and Gríma became increasingly powerful. Rohan was troubled again by [[Orcs]] and [[Dunlendings]], who operated under the will of Saruman, ruling from [[Isengard]].

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After the battle he visited [[Isengard]] where he witnessed as [[Gandalf]] deposed Saruman from [[Wizards|their order]]. On their way back to Rohan, they stopped by the [[Helm's Deep]], where he noticed that the lonely [[hobbit]] of their company, [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]] felt out of place, and offered to ride with him for the rest of the journey. The hobbit was delighted, as he felt useless among the Riders and offered Théoden his sword in service of Rohan.<ref>{{RK|V2}}</ref>

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When Théodred was mortally wounded at a [[Battles of the Fords of Isen|Battle at the Fords of Isen]] with the Orcs of Saruman, his nephew Éomer became his heir. Éomer was out of favour with Wormtongue, however, and was eventually arrested.

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[[Aragorn]] left the Rohirrim's company for [[Dunharrow]], and Théoden and the Riders took a safer path to Edoras. Near the outer hills of Rohan, Théoden dismissed Éomer's urge not to go to the war, and with the remaining Riders he rode to the [[Hold]] at Dunharrow, where his people took shelter.<ref name=muster>{{RK|V3}}</ref>

After reuniting with Éowyn and while resting, a [[Gondorian]] named [[Hirgon]] entered his tent, bringing the [[Red Arrow]] from [[Denethor II]]. Théoden responded to him that 6000 Riders would reach [[Minas Tirith]] in the week. Indeed they set off the next morning ([[the Dawnless Day]]); before leaving he ordered his squire, Meriadoc, to stay behind at Edoras.<ref name=muster/>

On their way to Minas Tirith, Théoden's forces were alerted by a host of Orcs upon the [[Great West Road]] moving towards them. Then a leader of the [[Woses]], [[Ghân-buri-Ghân]] came forward and offered to lead the Rohirrim by secret paths through the [[Drúadan Forest]] so they could avoid the Orcs. Taking the forgotten road down [[Stonewain Valley]] the riders of Rohan were able to come to the [[Pelennor Fields]] undetected.

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[[File:Abe Papakhian - The Ride of the Rohirrim.jpg|thumb|''The Ride of the Rohirrim'' by [[Abe Papakhian]]]]

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To his dismay, they found Hirgon dead and understood that the Gondorians were unaware of their arrival; Minas Tirith [[Siege of Gondor|was being destroyed]]. Théoden was reinvigorated by a sudden great flash of light from the city. He ordered to charge as the [[Darkness]] was fading. He led the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. In that battle he challenged the [[Black Serpent]] of the [[Haradrim]], and slew him and his standard-bearer. <ref>{{RK|V5}}</ref>

The [[Witch-king|Lord of the Nazgûl]] attacked him, and he was mortally wounded when his horse [[Snowmane]] fell upon him after being frightened by the Ringwraith's [[Fell beasts|Fell beast]].

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When [[Gandalf the White]] and [[Aragorn II|Aragorn]] appeared before him, Théoden initially rebuffed Gandalf's advice to ride out against Saruman, but after being healed by the [[Wizards|Wizard]], he restored his nephew, took up his [[Herugrim|sword]], and led the [[Rohirrim|Riders of Rohan]] into [[Battle of the Hornburg|battle at Helm's Deep]]. After this he became known as '''Théoden Ednew''', the Renewed, because he had thrown off the yoke of Saruman.

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He was immediately avenged by Éowyn and the [[Hobbits|Hobbit]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]], both of whom had ridden to war in secret. He claimed to Merry at his death on the field that he was satisfied, for he had felled the Black Serpent.<ref>{{RK|V6}}</ref>

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He led the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor at the [[Battle of the Pelennor Fields]]. In that battle he challenged the [[Black Serpent]] of the [[Haradrim]], and slew him and his standard-bearer. The [[Witch-king of Angmar|Lord of the Nazgûl]] attacked him, and he was mortally wounded when his horse [[Snowmane]] fell upon him after being frightened by the Ringwraith's [[Fell beasts|Fell beast]]. He was immediately avenged by Éowyn and the [[Hobbit]] [[Meriadoc Brandybuck]], both of whom had ridden to war in secret. He claimed to Merry at his death on the field that he was satisfied, for he had felled the Black Serpent.

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==Legacy==

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After Théoden's death his body remained in Minas Tirith while [[Snowmane]] was buried where they fell.

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==Personality==

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Éomer succeeded him as King of Rohan. In [[July]] he returned to Minas Tirith and brought Théoden's body back to [[Edoras]]. On [[10 August]] the funeral of Théoden took place. [[Gléowine]] composed a poem for him and other Kings of the line of [[Eorl]].<ref name=partings/>

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==Etymology==

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The [[Old English]] word ''[[Wiktionary:þeoden|þeoden]]'', means "lord, king", and contains the element ''þeod'' "people" (''[[éothéod]]'' "horse-people"). It is related to the Old Norse word ''þjóðann'', meaning "Leader of the People" (i.e. "King").{{fact}}

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{{stub}}

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In Tolkien's fictional etymology, the name ''Théoden'' is an Old English translation of the original [[Rohirric]] ''[[Tûrac]]'', an old word for King.{{fact}}

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==Etymology==

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==Other versions==

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In one of Tolkien's early drafts, Théoden also had a daughter by the name of [[Idis]], but she was eventually removed when her character was eclipsed by that of Éowyn.

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==Portrayal in adaptations==

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<center><gallery>

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Image:Theoden_Bakshi.JPG|<center><small>[[The Lord of the Rings (1978 film)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1978 film)]]</center></small>

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File:The Return of the King (1980 film) - Théoden.png|<center><small>[[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]</center></small>

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Image:Théoden.jpeg|<center><small>''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]''</center></small>

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</gallery></center>

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'''1955: [[The Lord of the Rings (1955 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1955 radio series)]]:'''

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:[[Valentine Dyall]] voiced the part of Théoden.

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In Tolkien's fictional etymology, the name ''Théoden'' is a translation of the original Rohirric '''''Tûrac''''', an old word for King, showing influence from the [[Elvish]] stem ''tur-'' ("power/mastery"), also present in [[Turgon of Gondolin|Turgon]] and related names. The name is probably taken from the Anglo-Saxon word "þeoden", meaning "Lord". It is related to the Old Norse word ''þjóðann'', meaning "Leader of the People" (i.e. "King"). Théoden's sword was called ''Herugrim''.

'''1979: [[The Lord of the Rings (1979 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1979 radio series)]]:'''

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[[Image:Theoden from Rankin-Bass' Return of the King.jpg|thumb|left|Théoden as portrayed in [[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King]]]]

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:[[Erik Bauersfeld]] provided the voice of Théoden.

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[[Image:Théoden.jpeg|thumb|[[Bernard Hill]] as Théoden in [[Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings]]]]

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In [[Ralph Bakshi]]'s 1978 animated version of ''[[Ralph Bakshi's The Lord of the Rings|The Lord of the Rings]]'', the voice of Théoden was provided by [[Philip Stone]]. Théoden also appears in [[Rankin/Bass]]'s attempt to complete the story left unfinished by Bakshi in their television adaptation of ''[[Rankin/Bass' The Return of the King|The Return of the King]]'', but does not speak; his death is narrated by [[John Huston]] as Gandalf.

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In the 1981 BBC Radio 4 [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|version of ''The Lord of the Rings'']] , Théoden's death is described in song rather than dramatised conventionally, which tends to lessen its impact. In this adaption he is voiced by [[Jack May]] of ''The Archers'' fame.

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'''1980: [[The Return of the King (1980 film)|''The Return of the King'' (1980 film)]]:'''

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:Théoden appears in this film, but does not speak; his death is narrated by [[John Huston]] as Gandalf.

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[[Peter Jackson's The Two Towers]] (2002) film deviates from Tolkien's story by having Théoden (played by [[Bernard Hill]]) actually possessed by Saruman rather than simply deceived by Gríma. He then goes to [[Helm's Deep]] to take his people to safety rather than to make a stand against the enemy. In [[Peter Jackson's The Return of the King]] (2003), Théoden is aware of Éowyn's presence at his death, whereas in the book he says his farewells to Merry and does not know that Éowyn is also there. In general, his personality is changed from a "kindly old man" to that of a callous and somewhat obstinate character, though he has several tender moments at the grave of his son and near Éowyn.

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'''1981: [[The Lord of the Rings (1981 radio series)|''The Lord of the Rings'' (1981 radio series)]]:'''

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:Théoden's death is described in song rather than dramatised conventionally, which tends to lessen its impact. In this adaption he is voiced by [[Jack May]].

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'''2002: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers]]'':'''

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:This film deviates from Tolkien's story by having Théoden (played by [[Bernard Hill]]) actually possessed by Saruman rather than simply deceived by Gríma. He then goes to [[Helm's Deep]] to take his people to safety rather than to make a stand against the enemy.

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'''2003: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King]]'':'''

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:Théoden at first refuses to come to the aid of Gondor saying that Gondor did not come to the aid of Rohan at the [[Battle of the Hornburg]]. His death is placed after the coming of the [[Haradrim]], and is depicted differently; he is not crushed by [[Snowmane]], but wounded by the [[Fell Beasts|fell beast]]. In general, his personality is changed from a "kindly old man" to that of a callous and somewhat obstinate character, though he has several tender moments at the grave of his son and near Éowyn.

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'''2004: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth]]'':'''

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:Théoden is a hero in the Rohan faction. He is voiced by [[Phil Proctor]].

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'''2006: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II]]'':'''

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:Théoden is a hero in the Men faction. He is voiced by [[Phil Proctor]].

"Out of doubt, out of dark, to the day's risinghe rode singing in the sun, sword unsheathing.Hope he rekindled, and in hope he ended;over death, over dread, over doom liftedout of loss, out of life, unto long glory."

Théoden loved his sister Théodwyn most of all. After she and her husband both died he adopted her children Éomer and Éowyn as his own. He had a son, Théodred, whose mother Elfhild died in childbirth.[1]

In T.A.3014 Théoden's health began to fail. This may have been due to natural causes (he was sixty-six) or it may have been induced or increase by subtle poisons administered by Gríma. Gríma (or Wormtongue as most others in the Mark called him), was secretly in the employ of Saruman the White.[4]

War of the Ring

As the war approached Théoden was increasingly misled by his chief adviser Gríma. In the last years before the War of the Ring, Théoden let his rule slip out of his hands completely, and Gríma became increasingly powerful. Rohan was troubled again by Orcs and Dunlendings, who operated under the will of Saruman, ruling from Isengard. On Gríma's orders Éomer had been arrested and imprisoned after Éomer's foray to destroy the Orcs that had crossed Rohan.[2]

On their way, they got news that the border was lost and he retreated into battle at Helm's Deep. After this he became known as Théoden Ednew, the Renewed,[1] because he had thrown off the yoke of Saruman.

After the battle he visited Isengard where he witnessed as Gandalf deposed Saruman from their order. On their way back to Rohan, they stopped by the Helm's Deep, where he noticed that the lonely hobbit of their company, Meriadoc Brandybuck felt out of place, and offered to ride with him for the rest of the journey. The hobbit was delighted, as he felt useless among the Riders and offered Théoden his sword in service of Rohan.[5]

Aragorn left the Rohirrim's company for Dunharrow, and Théoden and the Riders took a safer path to Edoras. Near the outer hills of Rohan, Théoden dismissed Éomer's urge not to go to the war, and with the remaining Riders he rode to the Hold at Dunharrow, where his people took shelter.[6]

Fulfilling the Oath of Eorl

Paula DiSante - The Red Arrow

After reuniting with Éowyn and while resting, a Gondorian named Hirgon entered his tent, bringing the Red Arrow from Denethor II. Théoden responded to him that 6000 Riders would reach Minas Tirith in the week. Indeed they set off the next morning (the Dawnless Day); before leaving he ordered his squire, Meriadoc, to stay behind at Edoras.[6]

On their way to Minas Tirith, Théoden's forces were alerted by a host of Orcs upon the Great West Road moving towards them. Then a leader of the Woses, Ghân-buri-Ghân came forward and offered to lead the Rohirrim by secret paths through the Drúadan Forest so they could avoid the Orcs. Taking the forgotten road down Stonewain Valley the riders of Rohan were able to come to the Pelennor Fields undetected.

To his dismay, they found Hirgon dead and understood that the Gondorians were unaware of their arrival; Minas Tirith was being destroyed. Théoden was reinvigorated by a sudden great flash of light from the city. He ordered to charge as the Darkness was fading. He led the Rohirrim to the aid of Gondor at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields. In that battle he challenged the Black Serpent of the Haradrim, and slew him and his standard-bearer. [7]

He was immediately avenged by Éowyn and the HobbitMeriadoc Brandybuck, both of whom had ridden to war in secret. He claimed to Merry at his death on the field that he was satisfied, for he had felled the Black Serpent.[8]

Legacy

After Théoden's death his body remained in Minas Tirith while Snowmane was buried where they fell.

Éomer succeeded him as King of Rohan. In July he returned to Minas Tirith and brought Théoden's body back to Edoras. On 10 August the funeral of Théoden took place. Gléowine composed a poem for him and other Kings of the line of Eorl.[3]

Etymology

The Old English word þeoden, means "lord, king", and contains the element þeod "people" (éothéod "horse-people"). It is related to the Old Norse word þjóðann, meaning "Leader of the People" (i.e. "King").[source?]

In Tolkien's fictional etymology, the name Théoden is an Old English translation of the original RohirricTûrac, an old word for King.[source?]

Other versions

In one of Tolkien's early drafts, Théoden also had a daughter by the name of Idis, but she was eventually removed when her character was eclipsed by that of Éowyn.

This film deviates from Tolkien's story by having Théoden (played by Bernard Hill) actually possessed by Saruman rather than simply deceived by Gríma. He then goes to Helm's Deep to take his people to safety rather than to make a stand against the enemy.

Théoden at first refuses to come to the aid of Gondor saying that Gondor did not come to the aid of Rohan at the Battle of the Hornburg. His death is placed after the coming of the Haradrim, and is depicted differently; he is not crushed by Snowmane, but wounded by the fell beast. In general, his personality is changed from a "kindly old man" to that of a callous and somewhat obstinate character, though he has several tender moments at the grave of his son and near Éowyn.